Sunday, 6 December 2015

This
is a group lament. The psalmist asks that we be satisfied in the morning with
God’s steadfast love so that we may rejoice and be glad everyday.

There
is a separation from God and a plea that there be as many days connected to God
as there have been separation. The psalmist asks for God’s compassion on the
people and that the work of human hands may prosper.

Isaiah
43: 14 – 44: 5

Babylon
is about to be conquered. This is the promise that God is about to do something
new, forgive the people and change the world. They will not only survive the
changes but prosper, be restored and commit themselves and their children to
God.

Mark 6:
30 – 56

The
apostles return to Jesus telling him all they had done. He instructs them to
come away from the crowds and rest a while in a deserted place. Crowds follow.
Jesus ministers to them. The disciples note the time and that no one has eaten
and there is no place to get food. Checking what the disciples have there is
five loaves and 2 fish. Jesus organises the crowd divides the food, feeds them
and they collect 12 baskets of leftover food. The disciples depart by boat and
Jesus goes up a hill to pray. Later on the sea, straining at the oars in rough
conditions. They see Jesus coming towards them walking on the water. He
reassures them, gets in the boat then land at Gennesaret where more crowds find
them and more healing occurs even by touching the fringe of his cloak.

Collect for
Morning Prayer

EmanuelSt Charles Anglican ChurchWest Mackay Qld L Osburn

Holy God in trinity,
Father, Son and Spirit you restore us, heal us, satisfy us, feed us and bring
us to rest in you. When we are far away from you in exile and lamenting help us
to reach out to you even if we just touch the fringes of your love so that we
may experience that you are always doing something new, recognise your love,
rejoice and recommit ourselves to your commandments through Jesus Christ your Son our
Lord, and the power of your Holy Spirit. Amen.

Monday 7
December 2015

Evening
Prayer

Psalm
119: 89 – 104

The
psalmist expresses faith in God’s word – commitment to God and the law. The
psalm also shows the effect of the scriptures on the psalmist through
meditation, understanding and a guide for life.

“If
your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my misery” (v.92).

Isaiah
7: 1 – 17

In
the time of King Ahaz, an alliance is made between Aram (Syria) and Ephraim to
take Jerusalem. Isaiah is told to meet with Ahaz and comfort him. God offers to
give Ahaz a sign but Ahaz refuses saying that he will not put God to the test.
Isaiah expresses frustration – that Ahaz wearies mortals and now he wearies
God. Isaiah gives Ahaz the sign that a young woman will conceive and bear a son
whose name is Emanuel – god is with us. And before that child knows right from
wrong Aram and Ephraim will have already been deserted and Jerusalem will go
through times like her occupation by Assyria.

1 Thessalonians 5: 12 – 28

The letter ends with the appeal to
respect the leaders of the church, be peaceful, admonish the idlers, encourage
the faint hearted, help the weak and be patient. Never repay evil for evil,
seek to do good, rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in
everything, keep the Spirit alive in everyone, value the words of the prophets,
test everything and hang on to what is good. Paul ends with a blessing.

Holy and wondrous God you are with us,
you bless us and you equip us with your law. Free us from misery and faint heartedness.
Help us take the risk you asks us to take and to follow your commandments and
so that we live well in our communities of faith, see the effects of scripture
and your heart in our lives and experience that delight of living everyday with
you through Jesus
Christ your Son our Lord, and the power of your Holy Spirit in our hearts.
Amen.